Scratch Build – Complete Project SteelOak

INTRODUCTION

Hello!

I’ve always been a lurker, made my first scratch build case almost 12 years ago. But didn’t really update the project log on bit-tech.
Right after I finished my first project I started making sketches for my next case, but never started a new project until the end of last year. I made at least 10 different designs before I had this one I’m building right now.
I waited for 3-4 months before starting the project so I was 100% sure that this is it.


DESIGN AND MATERIALS

I wanted my case to have the following materials: steel, wood and acrylic.
The colour scheme is the same as our furniture, which I also made myself; black coated steel with oil threated Oak.
First I wanted the case to match my motorcycle: Nardo grey steel panels, black framework and red accents. But this wouldn’t match my desk.


HARDWARE

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
GPU: Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080 Xtreme 10G
Motherboard: MSI MPG X570S Carbon EK-X
RAM: G-skill Trident Royal F4-3000C16Q-32GTRS 4x8GB
PSU: Be Quiet Straight Power 11 1000W Platinum
M2 SSD: Samsung 980 Pro 1TB


WATERCOOLING

Custom acrylic distribution plate
Custom acrylic reservoir + distribution plate
Radiator: Black Ice Nemesis GTX 360
GPU block: EK Quantum Vector Xtreme D-RGB Plexi
CPU/Motherboard block: included with motherboard (EK)
Pump: EK D5 G3 PWM Motor integrated under the distro plate
Fans: Noctua NF F12 PWM Chromax
Fittings: EK-AF Classic
Tubes: Acrylic hard tube


This is the design:

 

Lovely. You need to post more than your sketchup this time. There's a shortage of active projects!

 

So I already started this project in October, but I had to put everything on hold because the birth of my daughter .
I made pictures of everything, so I can now start this log.

Kickoff with getting all the steel profiles and sheets ready for welding.
I made the sheets at my work with the plasma cutte r, but just the raw contours because I don’t want to bring the plasma cutter more heat in the material than necessary. It’s fine for this job.

I sure will! There is indeed a shortage, I don't think there is another way of showing a project with every step than on forum like this.

 

Here I started with the motherboard panel with the I/O backpanel (with room for the integrated acrylc distro plate).

















Test fitting with the motherboard of my last project.

 

Lovely work so far, I'm not ashamed to admit I'm very jealous of you having easy access to a plasma cutter that can do 2mm+ sheet. Out of interest do you have to pay for it? Or just wait until it's either part-loaded or idle?

 

Wow, that's beefy. In case of an earthquake, you can shelter in this instead of a doorway.

 

HEAVY METAL

 

Thanks! Yes I have to pay for the material and a small rate for the machine. Laser is much better, less heat and more precise. That's why I don't let the plasma cutter make the holes.

I realy like to work with steel, and it's always nice to have a potential shelter at my desk!

The more steel the better

 

Solid work so far

 

Lidl are selling a plasma cutter rated up to 8mm cutting depth for £119.99

 

I'm guessing you still need the cnc table and air compressor for that much.
...and a high amp outlet.
...and garage space that doesn't catch fire.
Yeah, It's still out of reach.

 

Thanks, but to say the cheap hand ones are a bit rough is an understatement! Lots of finishing required.

 

It’s ok up to 4/5mm after that it’s very messy on the rear. But for the price you can’t complain.

 

Started with the frame of the acrylic distribution plate in the motherboard area.
Made the bend area with the grinder out of a tube.
The bottom part is a small plate with a radius.

I will finish all the welds once the main parts are fitted. Than I will weld and surface grind everything.

Thank you!

Yeah if I wont be able to do it at my job, I would let another supplier make them, and I will always prefer a laser cutter.

For sure, its nice to have different tools for yourself. I have the most common tools.
But tools like plasma or other CNC tools, are just to expensive and take to many space if you want high quality.

 

It will weigh as much as a cast-iron bridge.

 

Love the corner.

 

Got almost all the hardware components, still need some small watercooling stuff, but the most is there.

Total weight around 26kg, it's fine, don't have to move it every day I hope
I think it's not that much, there are cases in the market with around 20kg weight.

Thanks!

 

Wow! the rendering is really promising! I keep follow for updateds! Good work! The master of soldering!

 

Made the bracket for the radiator. Already prepared the profiles at the beginning of the project.
Test fitted the radiator and it fits perfect.

Thanks, enjoy the log!